Anseranas semipalmata

(Latham, 1790)

Vernacular names
English : Magpie goose
French : Canaroie semipalmée

Classification
Class : Aves
Order : Anseriformes
Family : Anseranatidae
Notes : No subspecies known.

Identification
Adults reach 90 cm in length for a weight of 3.1 kg. Unmistakable. Primitive goose-like with powerful yellow legs and slightly webbed feet with long toes. Naked pink to orange face, head hump, plumage black with white wings and back.

Range and habitat
The species occurs mostly in north Australia and, non breeding, in southern New Guinea. It has been reintroduced in Victoria state in southern Australia. Lives in lowland floodplains with great water level variation, not too far from coast.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : LEAST CONCERN
CITES : Not Listed
Status : The species is still very common but has been wiped out from entire areas because of hunting, habitat transformation and severe droughts.
Ex-Situ Programs : None known

Observation

 

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